GR R1

GR R1 is the Grande Randonnée route that loops around Piton des Neiges on Réunion Island. The “R” identifies it as a Réunion GR, and this route is the island’s classic circuit around the three main cirques: Salazie, Mafate, and Cilaos.

GR R1 is an Extra Difficult multi-day hike. The full route is 55.17 km with 3,738 m of elevation gain, so it is a demanding mountain circuit that suits strong, experienced hikers rather than casual walkers.

The GR R1 is a loop around Piton des Neiges that crosses the island’s three famous cirques: Salazie, Mafate, and Cilaos. The route begins and ends at Hell-Bourg in Salazie, and the complete circuit is about 55.17 km, broadly matching the official description of a roughly 60 km tour.

Yes, the GR R1 can be done in 3 days by very fit hikers, but it is a serious undertaking. With 55.17 km and 3,738 m of climbing, a 3-day schedule means long mountain days of roughly 18 km on average, which is much more demanding than a slower hut-to-hut itinerary.

Both are realistic, but 4 days is the more balanced pace for many hikers on the GR R1. Over 55.17 km, 4 days works out to about 13.8 km per day, while 5 days drops that to about 11 km per day and gives more margin for steep climbs, weather, and overnight stops in the cirques.

The GR R1 is commonly described as a six-stage trek, with individual stages ranging from about 2 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes. In practice, many hikers combine or shorten those stages, which is why 4-day and 5-day versions of the route are also common.